May 2, 2009

G24: Red Sox 10, Rays 6

Red Sox - 231 002 200 - 10 13  1
Rays - 100 130 001 - 6 11 2
Early runs provided a cushion against Wakefield's mini-meltdown (three walks, single, double, passed ball) in the fifth.

Wakefield (5-7-5-3-5, 101) allowed a leadoff single in the sixth and handed things off to Hideki Okajima, with Boston holding an 8-5 lead. Jeemer gave up a single of his own, and a sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third with one out, and brought the potential tying run to the plate. Upton fouled to Youkilis and Carl Crawford struck out swinging.

Okajima allowed a walk and a hit in the seventh, but fanned Akinori Iwamura with runners at first and third. Ramon Ramirez pitched a perfect eighth and Takashi Saito allowed two singles and a run in the ninth.

It was a team effort with the bats: Nick Green singled twice, doubled and drove in three runs (he was also caught stealing in the second when he fell on his face halfway to second base); Jacoby Ellsbury singled twice, scored two runs and stole three bases (he leads the AL with 13); and Dustin Pedroia reached base five times (single, double, three walks).

Kevin Youkilis had a two-run double and a bases-loaded walk; J.D. Drew had a two-run double in the first to start the scoring; George Kottaras doubled and walked; Mike Lowell homered and singled; and David Ortiz walked twice and was hit by a pitch.

Jason Bay singled, stole a base and scored before leaving the game after five innings with a left ankle contusion.

Toronto (17-9!) beat Baltimore 5-4 in 11, so the Red Sox (15-9) remain 1 GB in the East. The Angels beat the Yankees 8-4, dropping New York (13-11) 3 GB.

***

Tim Wakefield (1.86, 275 ERA+) / Jeff Neimann (4.43, 111 ERA+)

In four starts this year, Neimann has pitched 22.1 innings, allowing 21 hits and 11 walks, while striking out 13. Tonight's game will be his tenth major league appearance.

***

Terry Francona is not considering moving David Ortiz out of the #3 spot:
I think it does more harm than good. We've had pretty much a set lineup. Three days ago, when we won 11 out of 12, nobody [suggested moving Ortiz from the third spot]. I don't know that's the right thing to do. ... I'm sure he gets reminded about it, so I don't want to be the one adding to that.
Rehab: Rocco Baldelli is expected to DH for Pawtucket as early as Monday. ... Mark Kotsay will DH for Pawtucket today and play in the outfield tomorrow. ... Daisuke will throw a bullpen session of 45-50 pitches today, then throw roughly the same number of pitches in a start for the PawSox on Tuesday. He will likely make at least three rehab starts.

What's wrong with Jerry Remy? This Globe sentence is pretty vague (and can only invite rampant speculation):
NESN analyst Jerry Remy will miss at least the remainder of this trip with an illness, the symptoms of which are the same as those that kept him sidelined for much of spring training.
What the hell does that mean? I recall his spring illness being described as either a chest infection or pneumonia.

Buck Martinez has filled in for Remy in this series. He has shown small bits of insight here and there, but mostly has offered mindless cliches amid numerous variations of "Yeah, he sure is, Don" in his incredibly annoying nasally voice. And he cannot pronounce the last name of our DH. Please, NESN: If Remy is unavailable on Monday, bring in Eck or Dave Roberts. Or have Orsillo go solo. Anything! Stop torturing us with Buck Martinez!

246 comments:

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allan said...

LAA: 000
NYY: 10

BAL: 102
TOR: 03

allan said...

LAA: 000 001
NYY: 100 000
(CI error leads to LAA run)

BAL: 102 000
TOR: 030 000

Jere said...

4-1 Angels.

allan said...

Do I hear 5-1?

Jere said...

Angels get out of bases loaded jam, 5-1 top 8

Jere said...

DOng. To the deep part of RF. 6-1. I don't trust em till it's 10-1

Jere said...

Angel starter wore wedding ring under glove while pitching. Kay's pissed because they have a shot of him rubbing up the ball with the ring on.

Jere said...

6-pitch eighth. Teixeira still bed-shittin' at .182. Angels 3 outs away.

allan said...

So he's hitting 38 points worse than washed-up David ORtiz?

Jere said...

Melky Mania! Melky lets a bloop single get by him, and two more score. 8-1. Was kind of a bad hop, but still hilarious.

Jere said...

Well we all know Teixeira was on steroids but is now off them so that's definitely why he stopped hitting.

allan said...

Mr. 27 tried to live up to his name.

allan said...

Sterling won't shake today!

allan said...

LAA: 000 001 412 - 8 11 1
NYY: 100 000 003 - 4 4 2

BAL: 102 000 000 10
TOR: 030 000 000 1

laura k said...

"What the hell does that mean?"

It means Jerry wants privacy for whatever he's dealing with.

allan said...

Then they should say something like that -- though that would invite perhaps even more questions.

But, really, NESN: Ixnay on the Uckbay.

Jere said...

Angels really tried to blow that one.

allan said...

That ended quickly.

BAL: 102 000 000 10 - 4 9 2
TOR: 030 000 000 11 - 5 11 1

laura k said...

"Then they should say something like that -- though that would invite perhaps even more questions."

Yes, it would. Once they say that he wants privacy, everyone will assume it's serious and press w/ more questions.

I will say this, a "chest infection" or pneumonia is often the initial diagnosis in what turns out to be lung cancer. Which would square with my weird feeling that he is recovering from chemo treatments.

Let's hope I'm completely imagining things and NOT START RUMOURS.

mugro said...

My wife and I were wondering what was up with Jerry a couple of games ago when Jerry was part of the broadcast but had almost nothing to say during most of the game. We thought that it was strange that his normal commentary was almost non-existent during the game. Then, the next night he wasn't even there.

I hope Jerry is better soon. We worry about you, Remdawg!

tim said...

We should totally get the best color man in the game to fill in for Remy....Joe Morgan!

allan said...

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
5. J.D. Drew, RF
6. Jason Bay, LF
7. Mike Lowell, 3B
8. George Kottaras, C
9. Nick Green, SS

1. B.J. Upton, CF
2. Carl Crawford, LF
3. Evan Longoria, 3B
4. Carlos Pena, 1B
5. Pat Burrell, DH
6. Ben Zobrist, SS
7. Akinori Iwamura, 2B
8. Gabe Kapler, RF
9. Dioner Navarro, C

laura k said...

Gotta listen w/o threading today. Enjoy the game! Buenos noches, amigos.

andy said...

I am glad I was without NESN for this long. I get that broadcast today so I might just stick with the douche bags in tamper. Ohh Remy, can't live with him can't live without him.

Rob said...

Buck should be at least doing the game tomorrow so if he's working on NESN tonight, he won't be tomorrow.

Fly in Dave Roberts! Dauber! Bueller! Anybody!

Rob said...

(NESN: Please note I am exaggerating by saying "anybody." Use intellect.)

Pokerwolf said...

Why have Kottaras hit 8th? Is that so Green can get on base for the top 3 to move him over or something?

Still no Slugo. Love it!

Pokerwolf said...

Fly in Dave Roberts! Dauber! Bueller! Anybody!Careful, Ish. If you say "anybody", they might bring in John Madden.

"In order to score a run you have to have the guy reach base and then cross home plate."

Rob said...

Careful, Ish. If you say "anybody", they might bring in John Madden. • Tim McCarver wasn't on the Mets/Phils broadcast.

NESN: NO. Just... NO NO NO NO NO. Don't do it.

allan said...

No Lugo + locking Lopez in his hotel room = WIN!

Rob said...

Well Dauber's doing studio...

Pepe Lepew said...

Do I have this right?
Red Sox vs. the Rays: 1-4
Red Sox vs. the rest of the AL: 13-5
C'mon! Beat these guys!

Rob said...

Bucking Fuck tonight again.

Rob said...

NESN trying to figure out their dimensions... Started with wide screen for HD and now full screen but HD dimensions squished into SD dimensions. Narrow everything.

Pepe Lepew said...

Hee, hee, I love this.
Sabathia -- $161 million 1-3, 4.85 ERA
Teixeira -- $180 million, .182, 10 RBIs.
I know it can't possibly last, but I love it so far.

allan said...

why do they say tall pitchers have trouble with their motion -- "more moving parts"? they don't have additional body parts. it's strange. they have always been tall, presumably they can deal with their height like everyone else deals with theirs

Rob said...

why do they say tall pitchers have trouble with their motion -- "more moving parts"? they don't have additional body parts. it's strange. they have always been tall, presumably they can deal with their height like everyone else deals with theirs • I've always wondered why it seems like the tall pitchers throw slower than the average or slightly above average pitchers. I remember Kameron Loe as an example. Daniel Cabrera was an exception.

Jere said...

"...and Drew's three-run dong in the first would be all the offense they'd need...."

laura k said...

ON FIRE!!

Jere said...

I meant to say "two-run double that REEEally looked dongish off the bat".

allan said...

Don: "Bay leading the majors in walks with 25 walks."

Unknown said...

Well, this game is off to a decent start.

Jere said...

UZKI.

Four last names in the TB starting lineup starting with those letters.

Jere said...

3-2, 2 out, loaded, tied, bottom 10 in Mets game

allan said...

full bore.

Jere said...

and he walks in the winning run. Phils win.

Jere said...

Sox 1/9th of the way to hist.

Wake 1/27th.

allan said...

GDGD says Wake's "out pitch" is a curveball.

Unknown said...

Crap

allan said...

On pace to win 18-9.

allan said...

Wake's ERA goes up 26 points to 2.12.

allan said...

STRONG AND FREE!

Jere said...

that's a deuce

allan said...

speedy canuck

laura k said...

How did Kottaras get on? I missed it.

Unknown said...

Green > Lugo

allan said...

double over kapler's head in RF, to the wall on one hop.

Jere said...

GK hit one over the RFs head.

That was weak, Nick.

Unknown said...

Green, wtf?

laura k said...

thanks. a dououble.

allan said...

pretty funny shot of everyone, including tito, smiling as green slunked back to the bench

Rob said...

What happened with Green? Did he just trip and fall trying to steal second?

Rob said...

LBJet!

allan said...

little stumble at first when the took off, then halfway to 2nd, he fell forward on his face. trying running back to first: out 2-6-3.

Rob said...

I love this inning!

allan said...

Lyndon with the nice kick to give FY another base.

Jere said...

that was closer at home than I thought it would be. Worked out.

Unknown said...

FY!

allan said...

yooooooooooooooooook

allan said...

Don: "180 career victories for Wakefield in his career."

Unknown said...

OTT

Pokerwolf said...

Thanks for showcasing the Youk-Wake Connection, Rays!

Jere said...

be funny if Buck had said, "just wishing Remy the best...hey, what's wrong with him anyway?"

allan said...

More Canuck speed!!!

allan said...

L'arceny!

allan said...

Navarro must have studied Dumbo in the NYY minors.

Pepe Lepew said...

More Canuck speed!!!

Even a Canadian horse won the Kentucky Derby!

Jere said...

people LOVE to make that "the Yanks last won in 2001" mistake....

allan said...

no buck the yankees did not repeat as champs in 1999 and 2001 because:

a) they lost in 2001
and
b) 1999 and 2001 were not consecutive years

laura k said...

I'm liking this game.

allan said...

We have some loving parting gifts, Julio!

Unknown said...

Green still > Lugo

laura k said...

Canadians are clearly taking over.

allan said...

nesn also wrong with 22 pitches for neimann in 2nd -- he had 23.

Benjamin said...

"Their best April since 2007."

Wow.

allan said...

LEATHER!

allan said...

ECK on MON/TUE!!!!

that could be gold

Jere said...

Hey Benjamin, and redsock--I did a full piece on the Burgmeier game for Baseball Digest, credited you both in one way or another. If either of you want a full name in there I can put it in.

allan said...

cool piece, will print it out for later.

Benjamin said...

Nice communication, guys.

Jere said...

Thanks. I'm gonna do a follow up, since I found 17 more pitchers who played in the field in Sox history.

allan said...

I guess that includes Ruth!

Benjamin said...

Looks good, Jere.

Benjamin said...

Ouch.

allan said...

Fuck Ouch!

Benjamin said...

Off the head.

Jere said...

rung the bell, White

laura k said...

Does no one in sports media realize that stats vs teams are completely meaningless?

allan said...

tito grinning - fy hit in the gonads?

Rob said...

OW. That rang Pedroia's bell!

Rob said...

tito grinning - fy hit in the gonads?Hey I bet FY's got bigger bawls than most.

allan said...

Don: Red Sox trying to keep this pattern going, of scoring in every inning.

redsock: They sure are, Don.

Jere said...

L, explain.

I know what you mean if you're saying that stats against teams from generations ago are irrelevant to today's players...

Benjamin said...

Or even a decade ago (except Wake).

allan said...

I'm sure that's what she means -- Wakefield versus the 1999 Rays means nothing. Wake against the 2008 Rays means nothing, too.

Too many factors to make any of that meaningful, the biggest of which is the short sample. Anything short of 100 AB is pretty much all noise.

laura k said...

Paraphrasing radio guys, Big Papi has always hit great against the Rays, so if he's going to break out anywhere it will be against them.

Up until two seasons ago, the Rays sucked. Most people hit well against them.

Another example. A hitter's BA "career against Clemens", using him as an example b/c he had a long career. Unless the batter hits Clemens exceptionally well or can never hit him at all, it doesn't mean anything.

allan said...

old timey players didn't have to learn how to catch, but they do now. and it's hard, so there are not many good catchers.

Unknown said...

Meh

laura k said...

Wait, wait, I phrased that wrong, I didn't mean against Clemens, I meant "vs Yankees". Confusing myself here with the radio in my ears.

"Career against Orioles" - ? What does that tell you?

Benjamin said...

"Career against Orioles" - ? What does that tell you?

That you probably ran up the score a lot.

Rob said...

Things really do change a lot even year to year. Look at the differences this year between last year. Look at 2007 and how, I believe there were no 20 game winners. Or was that 2006? This year it seems starting pitching throughout the league is a big problem and the starters are going less deep into games as they have even a couple years ago.

I do not have numbers to support this - perhaps someone could find some - but there's a lot less pounding of the strike zone and more nibbling. Thoughts?

allan said...

Found this at Fangraphs and it seems logical:

"For hitters, in order, here's what gets stable pretty fast: swing rates, contact rates, strike out rates, walk rates, line drive rates, home run rates.

Batting average and BABIP do not get stable in under 500PA ... If you want to see whether a hitter is improving, swing and contact rates are the first thing to look at, then walk and strike out rates, then power numbers. ...

By the way, 150PA is a pretty good sample for swing, contact, K and BB. You need more like 300PA in the case of power numbers.

For pitchers, K rate, ground ball rate, line drive rate, flyball rate are relatively stable under small samples. Surprisingly, walk rate is not. K's an GB get pretty good at 150 BF, 200 is the number for fly balls."

*****

If a player has played 10+ years, who he faced on the Twins is probably no different than who he faced on the Red Sox -- just a long list of good and bad arms.

allan said...

Buck, are you saying Upton has "natural talent"?

Jere said...

what about in terms of hitting in one team's ballpark? If you've played ten years or something, you could look at how you did in another team's park. Provided it's been the same park all along.

Benjamin said...

Thoughts?

Pitchcounts and season innings are more limited than they used to be, with more money invested in pitching (and therefore the value of a given arm being higher and not worth risking).

laura k said...

Re ballparks, I don't think it tells you as much as it might seem. The batter is seeing a lot of different pitchers in that park. Unless his numbers are either really great or really awful - and significantly different than how he usually hits - I think it's probably almost meaningless.

laura k said...

Ish, this year is too young to draw any conclusions about. Pitchers' W/L record is all but meaningless.

Things do change from year to year but I think people see patterns where there may not be any.

laura k said...

"If a player has played 10+ years, who he faced on the Twins is probably no different than who he faced on the Red Sox -- just a long list of good and bad arms."

This is a more succinct version of what I am trying to say.

Jere said...

ok, what about this--the way a guy does against a big rival. Sox-Yanks games have been pretty consistently meaningful for years now. So wouldn't looking at, say, Posada's numbers in Red Sox games would tell you more, if only slightly, than any Yankee's numbers vs. the Royals?

I gotta go pick up pizza, I'll read answer later....

allan said...

So wouldn't looking at, say, Posada's numbers in Red Sox games would tell you more, if only slightly, than any Yankee's numbers vs. the Royals?

No.

(But "tell you more" what?)

Benjamin said...

Buck: hard to tell the difference between a passed ball and wild pitch.

It was a strike over the middle of the plate, moron.

Benjamin said...

Shit.

laura k said...

"Sox-Yanks games have been pretty consistently meaningful for years now. So wouldn't looking at, say, Posada's numbers in Red Sox games would tell you more, if only slightly, than any Yankee's numbers vs. the Royals? "

Why would they tell you more? And what would they tell you? I don't understand the reasoning.

Fucking Longoria. Go away.

allan said...

Posada

#s against Boston seem right in line with his career totals.

Career: .277/.380/.478/ 5961 PA
Red Sox: .264/.370/.480/ 695 PA

Royals: .332/.423/.579/ 286 PA

Unknown said...

Not a fan of this inning...

allan said...

Despite the stats, I know Posada was only an example.

Benjamin said...

Buck: "I think you give him the green light here. Because what's the difference, trying to hit the knuckleball."

Words cannot describe.

allan said...

And if he hit KC pitchers better, pitchers are always changing. I don't think there is any significant predictive power there.

Benjamin said...

SHIT

laura k said...

By the way, I don't think this way because of Allan. We just naturally think alike.

A REALLY long time ago, I said, "RBIs don't really make any sense, unless you know how many guys were on base when the batter came up. Shouldn't they be expressed as a fraction or percentage?"

I saw the look on Allan's face and I knew we were set for life.

Oh fucking hell.

laura k said...

[A: It was Garfield.]

Benjamin said...

Runs.

Unknown said...

Finally

allan said...

A REALLY long time ago, I said, "RBIs don't really make any sense, unless you know how many guys were on base when the batter came up. Shouldn't they be expressed as a fraction or percentage?"
I saw the look on Allan's face and I knew we were set for life.
************

Yeah, that was pretty hot.

Rob said...

L, I agree. We'll see how it is toward the All-Star break.

allan said...

And it's Strike Three from Balfour!!!! (/sterling)

laura k said...

LBJet

laura k said...

I'd better stop trying to thread. Strange comments will start appearing in this prospectus I'm working on.

Rob said...

A REALLY long time ago, I said, "RBIs don't really make any sense, unless you know how many guys were on base when the batter came up. Shouldn't they be expressed as a fraction or percentage?" - What about inherited runs? Shouldn't there be a stat about relief pitchers allowing inherited runners to score?

laura k said...

I love that boy!!!!

allan said...

Shouldn't there be a stat about relief pitchers allowing inherited runners to score?
****

You're kidding, right?

Lyndon is UNSTOPPABLE!!!

laura k said...

"What about inherited runs? Shouldn't there be a stat about relief pitchers allowing inherited runners to score?"

There is one. It's the reason we hated Mike Timlin.

allan said...

time to steal home again.

allan said...

I'm calling DONG!

Benjamin said...

If you two ever decide you like marriage after all, will you exchange BABIPs?

Pepe Lepew said...

That Ellsbury is as fast as a Canadian Kentucky Derby winner.

Rob said...

There is one. It's the reason we hated Mike Timlin. - I know there is one but it's not one of the main statistics that you see when a pitcher comes into the game.

allan said...

That Ellsbury is as fast as a Canadian Kentucky Derby winner.
***********

.. there's a fastball down the middle for Andy.

allan said...

We still have AVG/HR/RBI for batters (and OBP).

I expect IR/IS on the screen about 2175. I'm an optimist.

laura k said...

"I know there is one but it's not one of the main statistics that you see when a pitcher comes into the game."

In conventional sports media, the main statistics you see are dumb.

At least they've finally added OBP. That new-fangled Moneyball stat.

allan said...

And Remy touts fielding percentage as the only way to measure how good fielders are.

It's sad.

Benjamin said...

Pedroia walks back to first that time.

Pepe Lepew said...

Steal home!
Steal home!!!
They'll never see it coming!

allan said...

Note: "exchanging BABIPs" was cute.

...

How is that said? I don't think I've ever heard someone talk about it. I think "Baps" in my head, but that really isn't accurate.

Rob said...

BAP-PIP?

Benjamin said...

I really don't want to hear Buck Martinez talking about his intestines.

allan said...

buck: essence of managing -- not by the numbers, by the gut.

yeah. that works wonders.

what a fucking moronic idiot asshat fucktard shitforbrains.

laura k said...

It's weird. I understand that sports mentalities are generally conservative and slow to change -but baseball has changed in so many other respects. I don't understand the extreme unwillingness to change this aspect.

I know it's beginning to, but...

Benjamin said...

YOUK!

Edward Lee said...

Suck it, Schlongoria.

Unknown said...

Sweaty RBIs!

Benjamin said...

Youk kicks Maddon in the gut.

allan said...

buck now quiet about the smarts of maddon's "gut".

Benjamin said...

Why's Bay coming out?

allan said...

when bay stole second, i saw him rubbing his hand afterwards. maybe he cut it.

laura k said...

Where be our Cdn?

allan said...

new rule from watson: one canadian per lineup.

Unknown said...

Why is Bailey pinch-hitting?

Pokerwolf said...

I don't understand the extreme unwillingness to change this aspect. It's a control issue, L-girl. When you "trust your manager's gut" you're supposedly using his experience and intelligence. When you're using stats, you're just using numbers. It's an emotional response instead of a logical one.

allan said...

yet no one says that when a manager plays a .300 hitter over a.080 one, he's a nerdy stathead.

Benjamin said...

What'd Heidi just say about Bay?

allan said...

left ankle contusion

Pokerwolf said...

yet no one says that when a manager plays a .300 hitter over a.080 one, he's a nerdy stathead.Of course not. You always play the hot bat!

Pokerwolf said...

Bay has been de-feeted. I guess Bailey's in for the rest of the game.

allan said...

Rogers better come through if EI doesn't on Monday. Do not want to miss Eck and Roberts in the booth.

Rob said...

Don: "The bunt bid..."

Rob said...

BOTH Eck and Roberts??

allan said...

nice -- thanks upton!!

allan said...

first buck says upton is totally looking fastball -- then he says he didn't get a good look at it out of jeemer's hand.

oy.

allan said...

eck = remy on monday/tuesday and roberts is visiting for x innings

Edward Lee said...

The rumors of Hideki Okajima's death have been greatly exaggerated.

laura k said...

I'll miss Roberts' debut in the booth - and the game. I'm more disappointed to miss him than the game!

Unknown said...

K

Jam escaped

allan said...

can always watch the archived game

Rob said...

I could see Don saying "by way of the K" and Eck saying "Seriously, Don. No."

allan said...

wake's era tonight: 1.86 to 2.91.

Jere said...

ok, going back to that thing. I meant that a longtime Yankee's numbers against the Red Sox from '98-'08 tell you more (in terms of how one guy does against one team) than a guy on random team X does against random team Y. Or, at least that's what I'm asking about.

Benjamin said...

DR!

allan said...

RX!!!!!!!!!!

Jere said...

9 to 5 what a way to Mike a Lowell-vin

laura k said...

"can always watch the archived game"

Could, but I won't. I can turn it on to get a score here and there. I'll be at my mom's, we can watch a little together.

Unknown said...

DOCTOR!!

laura k said...

Doctah!

allan said...

no, i don't think it tells you anything important

allan said...

or nothing you could use to plan for the future.

Rob said...

Doctor giving a rectal exam to Shouse.

laura k said...

"I meant that a longtime Yankee's numbers against the Red Sox from '98-'08 tell you more (in terms of how one guy does against one team) than a guy on random team X does against random team Y."

I knew what you meant. But why would it tell you more, and what more would it tell you? Because of the perceived importance of the games?

Jere said...

but if you know your guy does better in the biggest games...

that's what I'm sayin. I'm sure some guys play the same against any team, but they know when it's a big game. It's almost like looking at postseason numbers.

allan said...

Lugo - now Green's towelboy.

laura k said...

I have to leave work at 10. If I call from the bus, will LBJ have stolen home again? :)

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